A casino, also known as a gaming establishment or simply a gambling hall, is a place where people can gamble. Most casinos offer a variety of gambling games, such as blackjack, poker, roulette, and baccarat. Some casinos also have restaurants and bars, and some even host shows. The casino industry is booming, and many people are considering a career in the business. Some of the most well-known casinos are in Las Vegas, but there are plenty more all over the world.
Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice (cut knuckle bones) and carved six-sided dice found in ancient archaeological sites [Source: Schwartz]. The modern casino, however, as a central gathering place for a range of different gambling activities did not develop until the 16th century. A gambling craze swept Europe at the time, and wealthy Italian nobles often gathered in private places called ridotti to gamble and socialize. These were technically illegal, but the patrons tended to avoid detection by local authorities.
Modern casinos focus heavily on customer service and provide a wide variety of amenities to attract and keep customers. For example, they often offer “comps” to high rollers. These are free items that are given to players who play a lot, such as meals and rooms. They can be as simple as tickets to a show or as elaborate as an entire vacation package. The goal is to encourage gamblers to spend more money, and the more they spend, the more comps they receive.
To make sure that patrons do not cheat or steal, casinos employ a variety of security measures. Video cameras throughout the facility monitor all activity, and some casinos use chips with microcircuitry to allow them to track bets minute-by-minute; electronic monitoring of roulette wheels enables a casino to detect any statistical deviation from expected results immediately.
Most casinos are designed to stimulate the senses, using bright colors and gaudy floor and wall coverings that create an atmosphere of excitement and energy. Some casinos even feature a large prize such as a sports car to draw in potential players. Some casinos do not even have clocks on the walls, because they want their patrons to lose track of time and stay longer.
Critics of casinos argue that they shift spending away from other forms of local entertainment and hurt property values, but proponents point out that the profits generated by a casino are enough to pay for the facilities and services provided. They also note that a portion of the profits is dedicated to addiction treatment and other social problems associated with gambling. A casino may also help a city boost tourism, as it did in the case of the famed Vegas strip. However, other cities are finding that the negative effects of a casino often outweigh any initial economic benefits.
